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Council hears plan for 1,048-space garage near convention center, staff seeks $1.9M pre-development authorization
Summary
City staff presented a public-private proposal for a 1,048-space garage at 19th Street and Parks Avenue, requesting council authorization for a capped $1.9 million pre-development phase; the plan would add about 859 net new public spaces, with city costs estimated not to exceed $37.7 million.
City staff on May 19 presented the City Council with a proposed public-private development to build a 1,048-space structured parking garage at 19th Street and Parks Avenue, adjacent to the convention center and sports complex. Acting Director of Economic Development Emily Archer told council the project team—Running Meet Corporation with design by Hanbury, engineering by Kimley Horn and general contractor W.M. Jordan—was the top respondent to the RFP and that the garage would include roughly 18,000 square feet of two-story retail.
"The total um share of the city's costs is not estimated to exceed 37.7 million at this time. That's about $36,000 per space," Archer said, and described a financing path that begins with a city-funded pre-development phase capped at $1.9 million. Archer said the developer would contribute up to $308,000 to that pre-development work, which would produce 35% design documents, a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and a leasing strategy for the retail portion.
Archer reported the garage concept would deliver approximately 968 public spaces (after reserving spaces for retail tenants), which she said equates to 859 net new public spaces compared with the current 109-space surface lot. She said the retail component would be privately financed—an estimated $78 million—and that the garage would be owned by the Virginia Beach Development Authority and managed by the city's parking management team. Archer also said a public hearing and a VEDA vote could happen in June and the developer estimates mid-2028 delivery if the project proceeds.
Councilors used the presentation and follow-up discussion to press staff on the purpose and risk of the pre-development contribution, the limit on retail-leased spaces and how design milestones will firm up the cost estimate. "If this never happens, we're out $1.9 million," Councilor Worth said, adding he felt confident the pre-development step was the appropriate next step. Council members also discussed a broader policy shift toward treating parking as a system—introducing pricing, resident vouchers and shuttles—to manage demand during large events such as tournaments that bring thousands of visitors.
Staff emphasized that the 35% design milestone is intended to reduce price uncertainty before the city commits to the full GMP and land-transfer terms. Archer said the pre-development request is limited to due diligence (35% design, schedule and leasing strategy) and does not itself approve construction or a final GMP.
Next steps outlined to the council included authorization of the pre-development agreement (staff requested direction), further design work to reach 35% and scheduling of a public hearing and VEDA consideration in June. No final construction authorization or land-transfer vote was recorded in this session.
